Ethnicity and Race

1
Ethnicity and Race

• Concept of Race Social Construction based on
  physical characteristics
• Physical characteristics are genetically
  transmitted
• Concept of EthnicitySocial Construction on the
  basis of cultural characteristics
• Cultural characteristics are transmitted via
  socialization

2
Racism and Ethnocentrism

• RacismThe false attribution of inherited
  characteristics of personality or behaviour to
  individuals of a particular physical appearance
• EthnocentrismThe false attribution of
  characteristics of personality or behaviour on
  the basis of particular cultural traits.
• Race and ethnic relations are the patterns of
  interactions and structural arrangements among
  groups whose members share distinctive physical
  and/or cultural traits

3
Minority Groups and Ethnic Identification

• Minority Groupsrefers to inequalities of
  power---not of numbers
• Useful concept to convey the inequalities
  attached to ethnic/racial differences differences
• Many ethnic inequalities are embedded in the
  structures of society because they are
  patterned,persistent and predictable

4
Ethnic Categories,Ethnic Groups and Ethic
Identification

• Ethnic CategoryStatistical categories of
  people,it is not a basis for meaningful social
  interaction
• Ethnic GroupsThey are characterized by
  meaningful interaction among its members who have
  a sense of belonging and often a sense of
  solidarity
• Ethnic IdentificationHas both subjective and
  objective dimensions ethnic awareness and ethnic
  consciousness

5
Theoretical Frameworks

• FunctionalismArgue that social inequalities have
  the function of rewarding scarce talent and
  individual effort
• But they recognize that inequalities purley on
  the basis of race/ethnicity are dysfunctional as
  they prevent scarce talent to be used and
  rewarded
• Ethnocentrism also unites a society and helps it
  to work toward a common goal
• It cant identify the when racism becomes totally
  dysfunctional

6
Conflict Theories/Marxism

• Conflict theoriescompetition for resources
• Resource allocation reflects the racial/ethnic
  power structure of society
• MarxismArgues that ethnic allegiance prevents
  the recognition of working class exploitation
• Abolish Marxian class differences and
  ethnic/racial inequalities will vanish too

7
Primordial Perspective

• Argues that humans have a primordial attachment
  to kin,territory and religion
• These are instinctualnot learned---phenomena.The
  givens of social existence
• Useful for explaining the persistence and
  resurgences of ethnic diversity,tension and
  conflict
• Modernization has led to a rediscovery of ethnic
  bonds and ties

8
Mobilization Theory

• Focuses on the dominant group(s)
• Individuals make conscious use of ethnic/racial
  power and symbols
• Ethnic identity is mobilized to serve the
  interest of the group/individual
• Useful to explain national and global linkages of
  groups

9
Sociobiology

• Pseudo-scientific theory used to try and
  legitimate the powerful position in the ethnic
  hierarchy of groups
• Argues that nepotism is genetically transmitted
  and is an important component in the evolutionary
  process and progress
• Ethnic bonding is fixed and determined without
  the consent of the individual

10
Conclusion

• Sociology offers several conceptual frameworks
  for understanding racial and ethnic patterns
• There is no single theory that fits the
  situation over time and across societies
• Understanding requires cross-cultural,trans-nation
  al and time specific approaches

11
Assimilation and Multiculturalism in Australia

• Assimilationto totally change very quickly
  language,cultural traits,behaviour,thinking
  etc.etc.
• A complete change-over to the new society
• Multiculturalismcultural pluralism,poly-ethnicit
  y,subordination to dominant group(s)
• Orharmonious appreciation of differences